The mild start to the long weekend is set to change with heavy rain, snow and southeasterly gales forecast to sweep up the country on Sunday.
A fast-moving cold front will move up the South Island tomorrow and is expected to bring rain to most places.
Heavy rain watches have been issued for Fiordland on Saturday night, with rain spreading to Westland on Sunday morning, then to northern Canterbury and eastern Marlborough on Sunday evening.
Much colder southerly winds follow the front, which will bring the snow level down in Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Fiordland.
Weather watches and warnings are being issued and the public is being asked to keep up to date with forecasts as more could come.
MetService said it will be a snowy Sunday, and snow may fall as low as 400m above sea level in Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes District and Canterbury High Country.
There's a heavy snow warning for the Mackenzie District, which can expect 15 to 25cm of snow above 600 metres.
"Heavy snow may disrupt travel in affected areas and could damage trees and powerlines. Cold conditions may cause stress for livestock," MetService warns.
Road snowfall warnings have been issued for several of the South Island mountain passes for Sunday, including Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass, Crown Range Road and Milford Road.
Strong wind watches have been issued for Westland, Buller, Nelson and western Marlborough on Sunday, and then for Wellington and Taranaki on Monday.
Wet weather reaches much of the North Island later on Sunday and Monday, while more settled weather starts to return to the South Island.
